Yahaya Bello: Court fixes date for response to summons, arraignment

A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court has granted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) application for adjournment in a fresh charge against the immediate past governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello, and two others until November 14, 2024.

Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), who appeared for the EFCC, made the oral application before Justice Maryann Anenih on Thursday, October 24.

The former governor alongside Umar Oricha, and Abdulsalami Hudu are being prosecuted as first to third defendants respectively in the 16-count charge.

Oyedepo informed the court that at the last adjourned date, the court issued a public summons against Bello directing that the same be published and that the charge be pasted.

Justice Anenih however interjected, saying she did not give an order that the charge be pasted alongside the summons.

Oyedepo, who admitted, said he had expected Bello defendant to be in court, even though the 30-day duration of the summons would be on November 14.

The EFCC lawyer therefore sought adjournment until November 14 for the arraignment of the three defendants.

Court summons Yahaya Bello over N110.4bn fraud

Joseph Daudu (SAN), who appeared for the second defendant, objected to Oyedepo’s application.

The lawyer insisted that the matter was scheduled for arraignment today (Thursday) and that they were ready to proceed, arguing that the defendants were all independent and should be so treated.

Daudu said if the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the case, the defendants who were already in court should be discharged.

Mohammed Aliyu (SAN), who represented the third defendant, aligned with Daudu’s submission.

Aliyu said in the alternative, he would be asking the court to take his client’s application for bail.

Oyedepo, however, disagreed with the defence.

He said that the application for bail could not be taken as the charge was a joint charge.

According to him, there are counts of conspiracy in it.

The lawyer, who insisted that the court should adjourn to November 14, said there was an application for the enforcement of fundamental rights of the second defendant which was also served on him.

Justice Anenih, thereafter, adjourned until November 14 and November 20 for response of Bello to summons and/or arraignment.

The Star